Shipbuilding: Cable Layer Delivered to Japan

Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) delivered the first ever modern Cable Laying Vessel built for Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd. (KCS) Japan, on June 21, 2019. This is the biggest vessel, both in terms of length and price, ever built by Colombo Dockyard in its history, and the first ever ship built ‘in its class’ from Sri Lanka to Japan.

This ship measures 113.1 x 21.5m with an 8.8 m depth, and with a maximum load laying draft of approx 7.1m has a deadweight carrying capacity of 5,757 DWT and a speed of 14.5 knots with accommodation facilities for 80 persons.

This vessel is a modern, high technology vessel, which is intended for subsea operation and cable installation and repair works of ‘optical cables’ as well as ‘power cables’ adding to the versatility of the Vessel. For the handling of power cables, the forward tank has been fitted with a carousel system with a Spooling Arm.

The vessel is specially designed and equipped with a focus on maintaining good sea keeping ability and excellent station keeping performance. Passive roll reduction tanks help minimize the effect of ship rolling. The vessel has many special features including low resistance hull lines designed for higher speed and low fuel consumption. The vessel is also extremely eco-friendly. High tech systems are in place to reduce harmful emissions complying with IMO Global Sulfur Cap 2020 requirements, waste storage solutions, water ballast treatment systems, eco-subsea coating solutions etc…

The ship is diesel electric driven and has optimized power, which is another key feature. Power is provided by four generator sets, developing 2,300kW each. Three generators out of the four available are sufficient to cope with the highest propulsion power demands, ensuring high reliability. Transit at economic speed with two engines efficiently running will optimize fuel consumption. The Vessel shall have a bollard pull of 80 tonnes with a range of 10,000 nautical miles and has Dynamic Positioning capability to Class 2 for precision maneuvering and station keeping.

The basic design and production drawings for the construction were supplied by VARD Designs, Norway. The vessel has flexible operational capabilities and provides a comfortable platform for the operational personnel and the interior design of the vessel is aesthetically appealing. The vessels material, equipment, construction, quality and performance conform to the highest internationally accepted marine industrial norms and standards. It is built to ClassNK classification society standards and meets the regulatory requirements of the Japanese Government (JG requirements).

Colombo Dockyard PLC is a flag ship investment of Japan and operates in joint collaboration with Onomichi Dockyard Company Limited of Japan. The Sri Lankan Government institutions hold more than 35% stake in the Company. Colombo Dockyard PLC is Sri Lanka’s front runner of its industrialization drive.